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Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel

by Judy Larson
As with any skill, the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Many of my students became frustrated when first learning to make wire wrapped bezels. Shaping them can sometimes be difficult, especially when the cabochon has a high dome, sloping sides, is highly polished, and/or 3 or 4 bundled wires are being used.

Beginners are not the only ones that have trouble with wire bezels. Not every seasoned wire artist finds making bezels easy either. Calibrated mandrels are very helpful and can be purchased, but since I had polymer clay on hand, I decided to make my own.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
Place a slab of polymer clay on the center of the tile between the two 3/8" mandrel.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, polymer clay
Roll out the clay until the roller touches the two mandrels. Set the roller and mandrels aside.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, roll the polymer clay
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, roll out the polymer clay
Place the cabochon on the polymer clay. Make an exact 90 degree cut around the cabochon through the polymer clay. Remove the excess clay.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, place your cab on the clay
Clean up the edges of the polymer clay, if needed. Remove the cabochon. These mandrels are meant to be a help in shaping. The mandrel does not need to be perfect as adjustments are always made in wire wrapped bezels to make a more perfect fit.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, clean up the clay
Place the tile with the polymer clay in the oven (without the cabochon) and bake at 275 degrees for 40 minutes (follow the directions for the particular polymer clay being used).
While the clay is baking, trace the outline of the cabochon on a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half lengthwise and crosswise, matching the drawn lines. Mark those lines on the paper.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, trace the cabochon
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, trace the cabochon
Remove the tile with the clay from the oven and let cool.
Place the baked clay mandrel on the template created in Step 7. Transfer the lines to the mandrel using an ultra fine point retractable Sharpie. Mark the size on the top of the mandrel.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, place the clay on the traced shape
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, draw the lines on the mandrel
Irregular shapes can also be difficult to work with. A polymer clay mandrel may be helpful. These mandrels are not for just wire artists. They can also be helpful for metal artists, and when doing production work these little mandrels can be a real time saver.
Judy Larson's Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, clay mandrel for bezels

Materials

Premo Sculpey Polymer Clay
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
4" ceramic tile
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
10mm Round Denim Lapis Cabochon - Pack of 2
CL-E1-811I
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.98
  • Gold Club Price: $1.49
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Tools

polymer clay roller
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
5/8" mandrel
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools

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